So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.

NUMBERS 35:7KJV
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Numbers 35:7 (KJV)

What does Numbers 35:7 mean?

Numbers 35:7 states that the Levites were to receive forty-eight cities, each with surrounding land, as their places to live among the other tribes of Israel. This verse sets out the specific number of cities and makes clear that these cities would include their "suburbs," meaning the open land around them.

In context, God is instructing Moses to tell the Israelites how to allocate land once they enter Canaan. The Levites, who served in religious duties and had no tribal territory of their own, were to be given these cities spread throughout the land. This arrangement ensured the Levites would live among all the tribes, supporting their unique role and responsibilities.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 35:7

  • cities (עָיר, ʿir): This word refers to towns or inhabited places. The repetition in the verse emphasizes the concrete, physical locations being assigned.
  • give (נָתַן, natan): This verb means "to give" or "to assign." It underscores that these cities were not taken or claimed by the Levites, but rather granted to them by the other tribes as a deliberate act.
  • Levites (לֵוִי, Leviyy): This term identifies the tribe set apart for religious service. The verse highlights their special status by specifying their allotted cities.
  • suburbs (מִגְרָשׁ, migrash): This word refers to the open land or pastureland around each city, not just the city itself. This detail shows the Levites would have space for their livestock and daily needs, not just homes.

Why Numbers 35:7 matters

  • Numbers 35:7 clarifies that the Levites were intentionally placed throughout Israel, not concentrated in one area, which helped keep their religious influence widespread.
  • The verse shows that the Levites depended on the generosity and obedience of the other tribes for their homes, reinforcing their unique, non-landowning status.
  • By specifying both cities and their surrounding land, the verse addresses practical needs, showing that the Levites were to be provided for in a complete and thoughtful way.

Where else these words appear

“suburbs” Hebrew H4054 · used in 67 verses

  • Leviticus 25:34 But the field of the suburbs of their cities may not be sold; for it is their perpetual possession.
  • Joshua 21:26 All the cities were ten with their suburbs for the families of the children of Kohath that remained.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:68 And Jokmeam with her suburbs, and Bethhoron with her suburbs,

“eight” Hebrew H8083 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 5:4 And the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters:
  • 1 Kings 7:15 For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about.
  • 2 Chronicles 35:19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.

“forty” Hebrew H705 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 5:13 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • Deuteronomy 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:36 And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.